COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE

SIGEF2016 by Horyou, One Step Further Towards Social Innovation with Global Ethics

Geneva, November 2016 — “Shaping better times to come,” the third edition of the Social Innovation and Global Ethics Forum, called for climate friendly action and policies, in resonation with COP22, as well as socially inclusive sustainable innovation and community empowerment solutions that would help shape a fairer future for Africa and the rest of the world. Organized from 9-11 November by Horyou at the Marrakech Palais des Congrès, SIGEF 2016 engaged a diverse audience and gathered internationally renowned speakers, along with more than fifty NGOs and project holders from all over the world who furthered the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and highlighted Horyou’s values of positivity, diversity and Social Good.

Yonathan Parienti, founder of Horyou, opened the forum, with guests HRH Prince Nawaf bin Saad al Saud, Chairman of the Al-Hilal Saudi football club, H.E. Mrs. Rosalie Matondo, Minister of Environment of the Republic of Congo, Dr Ali Bin Samikh Al Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) in Qatar, and Yasuhiro Yamamoto, Vice- President of Eneco Holdings and Founding Sponsor of SIGEF. “We are immensely pleased to host such a richly diverse assembly of entrepreneurs, officials and organizations who, together with Horyou, are supporting COP22 and helping advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals”, stressed Yonathan Parienti in his speech.

The first day addressed the infrastructural aspects of a competitive and sustainable Africa, covering crucial issues such as access to health services and drinkable water in developing areas, innovative agriculture and new private sector trends to accelerate sustainability. The idea of an autonomous Africa developing local solutions for local problems was defended by many speakers. The role of Morocco in the implementation on the continent of increasingly innovative green economy was presented by the Minister of Urbanism and National Land Settlement of Morocco, Mr. Driss Merroun, who promoted clean biotechnology as a viable alternative that ensures human rights and prepares for a more inclusive future.

On the second day, renowned specialists, entrepreneurs and investors in the fields of clean infrastructure and fintech spoke of energy, transportation, funding and showcased construction various projects for the Cities of Tomorrow. Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E Holdings, talked about e-powered racing vehicles and the important role they can play in providing a model for the private vehicles technology of the future, affirming that “through sport, we can make a change for good”. Mr. Yamamoto, VP of Eneco Holdings, presented energy solutions that reduce CO2 emissions by 50%, declaring that “the concept that enriches the people’s everyday life, from a consumer’s point of view, enables for both high- tech and the environment to co-exist”.

Social media has the capacity to unite and engage people towards a meaningful cause. Campaigns like #Lovemyclimate are perfectly suited to promote positivity and climate actions all over the world. ￼￼

Yonathan Parienti CEO, Horyou

The closing day gathered artists, innovators and NGOs to discuss the power of technology, gender equality and arts for Social Good. The general director of Maroc Numeric Fund, Dounia Boumehdi, insisted that governments should invest in infrastructure to provide more resources to African businesses, especially startups, while Lamia Benmakhlouf, CEO of Technopark, defended public-private partnerships for tech projects on the continent. In the afternoon, the panelists showcased initiatives and projects which champion access to education and gain independence and confidence for women and communities. Carla Ortiz, made a passionate presentation of “Voices of Syria”, a movie she directed, and defended the idea that women should be valued for their own potential and not their differences with man.

Later that day, access to land, innovation and sustainable farming in Africa were the main topics of a panel that showcased authors, organizations and state-of-the-art business cases. Inaugurating the session, Mrs. Ismahane Elouafi, Director General of the ICBA – International Center for Biosaline Agriculture NGO, warned that innovation is a misconception that is not only concerned with high-tech processes, but also business models and social networks and voiced her strong belief that “the future of farming is in Africa”, and that “we can make it different and in our own way”.

Just like its two previous editions, SIGEF 2016 hosted innovative project holders and NGOs that are active on the Horyou platform, most of whom operate on the continent, providing them with the opportunity to interact with the public, as well as entrepreneurs, philanthropists and other organizations.

Building on the power of social media, Horyou also launched #Lovemyclimate, a digital campaign inviting youth and civil society to share sustainable actions and thoughts.

SIGEF Awards The SIGEF Awards, which rewarded innovative projects presented during the 3 days of the forum, also took place at the Palais des Congrès, Marrakech, on November 11th. The ceremony acknowledged the efforts of all 20 projects, while the Jury Award went to El Pozo de Vida, an organization that takes care of victims of human trafficking in Mexico, notably via a virtual reality informative and educational program. Pocket Rocket, an affordable wood energy saving and low CO2 emission device made from cheap recycled paint pots was first runner-up, and Can Heat, a project from Réunion Island designed to generate energy from recycled everyday life materials was second runner-up. Last but not least, SIGEF 2016 recognized personalities and members who are active and inspirational within the Horyou community in such areas as Education (Nicole Jeffroy), Arts and Culture (François Maurel), Music and Culture (Dinar Hicham Soui), Humanitarian (Rakia Hanine), Health Empowerment (Maria Guzman), Social Inclusion (Najat Halmoud) and Women Empowerment (Carla Ortiz). SIGEF2016 is organized by Horyou and is the result of the collaboration with dedicated partners such as Founding Partners Eneco Holdings and Horyou Foundation.

Horyou is the social network for social good. Through technology, innovation and social entrepreneurship advocacy, it promotes meaningful and global interactions amongst its adherent organizations, members and personalities. With its platform, App and Spotlight, the first Global Social Currency, Horyou helps transform positive ideas into concrete actions while building constructive relationships both online and offline.